Pirates: A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates

Publisher and industry reviews

UK Kirkus review

The first edition of Captain Johnson's book about pirates appeared in 1724. Its success then reflected the avid interest of the time in the violent exploits of men - and women - who caused terror and disruption on the high seas, and it also inspired later stories about pirates, including Treasure Island and Peter Pan. As well as a mention in his introduction of earlier pirates like the notorious Barbarossa, Johnson gives a detailed account of the lives of some 20 pirates, including the better-known Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, and, where they can be corroborated, his facts mainly seem to be true. This leads to perhaps the most intriguing question: the one of Captain Johnson's identity. Where did he get all his information? Did he attend pirates' trials? Was he a pirate too? He seems to have knowledge only a seaman or insider would have about the details of pirate activities - their backgrounds, raids, rape and pillage, in-fighting between crews and corruption on land, much fascinating information about the areas where acts of piracy were committed, such as the West Indies, West Africa, Madagascar and Brazil and, not least, the inevitably violent ends met by most pirates. Johnson's book was written towards the end of the main period of piratical lawlessness: these men's lives, on the whole, were nasty, brutish and short and they had little opportunity to enjoy any successes. In spite of the interesting insight into the period and information which destroys any lingering thoughts of the pirate as romantic hero, there is an inescapable repetitiveness about their lives which can become tedious. Still, this is a remarkable work, and anyone interested in 18th-century writing or the piratical tradition is bound to enjoy it. Also included are contemporary woodblocks, extracts from letters and trial accounts, and a glossary and footnotes. (Kirkus UK)

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